The event also features a breakfast buffet, scripture readings, music, and a keynote address by Kari (Tanana) Olson, a mother with an inspiring story about going completely deaf and how her faith and the community helped her as she eventually regained her hearing with cochlear implants.

Homan is a professional Irish tenor who performs throughout the United States. Homan's quick-witted, Cork humor and spontaneity on the stage gave birth to the nickname Paddy "The Show-Man-Homan." Homan's website, www.paddyhoman.com,provides an opportunity to hear some of his work.

"It's all about connecting with people, be it on stage in the songs I sing, or in trying to make a positive difference in our daily work with seniors and the communities we serve. My faith is an integral part of this," Homan says.

Homan credits his faith as a guiding light both in his own life and in serving seniors at Lutheran Life Communities.

In addition to being a talented musician, Homan works as the Corporate Giving/Foundation regional director with Lutheran Life Communities. He is a Social Work graduate of University College Cork, Ireland, with a master's degree in philanthropy from De Paul University.

He has served with Lutheran Life Communities since 2011. His prior work experience includes six years in Geriatric Case Management in Chicago, specializing in adult care protection, direct caregiver recruitment, training and supervision. Prior to that, he was a child welfare social worker in Ireland.

With the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising approaching in Ireland, now seems like the perfect time to launch a show chronicling that trip to freedom.

The U.S. premiere of "I Am Ireland" with Irish tenor Paddy Homan is set for Oct. 10 at Beverly Arts Center's Baffes Theatre in Chicago.

"It's a labor of love. It's how all these things come about," said Homan, who grew up in County Cork, Ireland.

"Over the last two years I've been working with Michael Londra, a huge superstar in Irish music. Lo and behold, there's a music session that I run at Galway Arms. We do it every week consistently. I was able to formulate a lot of these songs and narratives within those sessions.

"Michael is passionate about this story. He wants to take it on a national stage so people can get a sense of the real story of Ireland."

Produced by Londra's Wexfordhouse, "I Am Ireland" is directed by Andrea Dymond and features musical production by Sean Gavin. Presented in two 45-minute acts, the show includes songs such as "The Rising of the Moon" with a three-piece band, speeches and projected images.

Audiences will experience a sense of journey, Homan said. The show covers the years 1798 to 1916.

"If you really look at it, it can be really very depressing. For us, we have to look at the funny side as well. After the trauma of the Irish famine, people went back to what it means to be Irish, what it means to have a language, what it means to promote our national sports like hurling and football.

"That's what people will get a sense of. It's that sense of Irishness, that sense of uniqueness. It's definitely not bashing England. This is definitely a story that needs to be told."

Singing came naturally to Homan, who grew up in an Irish Nationalist working-class family and spent much time fishing on the River Lee.

"I have been singing longer than I can remember talking. I do not know a time I have not been singing," said Homan, whose latest CD "The Hard Way Home" was released in 2013 and features a mix of traditional Irish songs and contemporary tunes.

"I've always been captivated by the stories behind the songs, of how they came about and also the melody."

Homan, now of Chicago, said he is looking forward to bringing "I Am Ireland" to Beverly Arts Center.

"It's the bridge between the North Side and the South Side. What better place to have it?" said Homan, noting that many people from the surrounding area including Chicago's Beverly community have Irish ancestors.

"It's very poignant and very emotional. My only goal is for people to make some kind of connection, that they can see these people come alive."

Margeson on Music - Live Ireland Dec 2009

Margeson on the music December 09 News Update

A quick note---next month is The Livies. They are our annual Awards for the best of the best for 2009. Don't miss them! No Awards are seen and heard worldwide so quickly, and by so many people!!!! Now as to the reviews:.........

But, Paddy Homan is the deal. Complete. I hesitate to say the next bit. He is a tenor. Stop. Don’t roll your eyes. Everyone--and I do mean everyone—says the same thing. “I don’t like Irish tenors-----but Paddy is not an Irish tenor.” Well---yes he is. But that is like saying Secretariat was simply a horse. This Cork native is no patent leather shoe, tuxedo-wearing poseur. We are all, all sick of the guys screaming out nasal tenor voices improperly placed in the glottal area and too high in the throat. You know exactly the type I’m talking about. You’ve heard them. And, they seem to be rapidly breeding and reproducing. Get a dart gun.

Then comes Homan. The album is self-titled. Recorded at the growingly important studio of Dennis Cahill. As stated, Paddy is originally from Cork. Wait. Let’s look at it this way. Check out this list of accompanying musicians---Jimmy Keane on accordion, Dennis Cahill on guitar, Maurice Lennon on fiddle, John Williams on button box, Jimmy Moore on four different instruments, Kathleen Keane on fiddle and whistle and Pat Broaders on bouzouki. Incredible musicians, but here is the point. These musicians get asked constantly to work on albums. They can pick and choose at this level. And, they are all on this album, supporting this singer.
The voice. Oh, the voice. Clear as a bell, and a gift from heaven. Now, we hear Paddy has had formal voice training, but he fortunately has taken the best of the formal stuff and left the other squealy nonsense behind. Oh, the voice. The recent album launches also offered Jimmy Keane, Dennis Cahill and Maurice Lennon accompanying. I have never been at better sessions. I kept thinking I’d eagerly pay $50 or more for this ticket, and all it took to be was the purchase of a pint of Smithwick’s!!

Nobody sings like this, and nobody sounds like this. The voice never, ever grates. The range is stunning. The interpretation is perfect. This is the whole, total complete deal wrapped up in one voice, one talent. I suspect Paddy Homan is going to get very famous, and I hope very rich. You read about him here first, and radio show partner Mary Ann Keifer and I were thrilled to offer the world premiere of his album on our Monday night program a few weeks ago. I know you can get the album online. goggle his name and get to his site. Now, stop sitting there. Get this. I warned you at the start of this column—but here it comes---this is history in the making. The day you bought Paddy Homan’s first album. In a world of lunacy and junk, there is this voice. And, it sings to every one of us, reminding us all of what could and should be. Get up. Get it. Good Lord, this is a new level. I warned you. Rating: Four Harps—oh, hell---throw away the Harps rating, there aren’t enough Harps! Paddy, you are THE boyo!!